Getty ImagesJeremy Corbyn is in talks with four other independent MPs to form a new group, potentially boosting his influence in Parliament.
Six independent MPs were elected in the 2024 general election – the most in modern history – including former Labor leaders.
A potential grouping of five independents – who all campaigned on a pro-Palestinian platform – would equal the number of Reform UK MPs and outnumber the Greens.
While nothing is official, Shockat Adam – who ousted Labour’s Jonathan Ashworth as MP for Leicester South – told the BBC the group was “looking at options that would give us more access to the levers of power”.
Alex Easton, the former leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) in the Northern Ireland Assembly who was elected as an independent MP for North Down, was not part of the discussion, the BBC understands.
Mr Corbyn and Mr Adam have spoken to fellow independents Ayoub Khan, Adnan Hussain and Iqbal Mohamed to explore options for how they can influence policy more effectively.
All five defeated Labor candidates in the July election on their pro-Palestinian stance in Labor-supporting constituencies with large Muslim populations.
If the five independents become an official group in Parliament, they will increase the chance to take part in debates and committees, which usually decide proportionally to the size of the party.
The established party of five MPs has previously been eligible for £129,000 in “short money” – public funding given to opposition parties to support research.
However, current Parliament rules appear to prevent these funds from going to new groups formed between general elections.
But by collaborating, independents can secure more funding for campaign work by sharing resources and fundraising together.
Given Labour’s majority, it is not clear how effective independent forces will be in parliament.
But the loose coalition has worked together to try to influence the policy and together with the Green MPs tabled a a series of amendments to the King’s Speech.
One of his first acts was to reach out to seven Labor MPs – all former allies of Mr Corbyn including former shadow chancellor John McDonnell – who were the same. suspended from the party for six months after voting in favor of the rebel amendment to scrap the benefit of two children.
So far, there has been no formal coordination between independent MPs and suspended Labor MPs, the BBC understands.
Corbyn said: “I was elected by my constituents to speak out against the massacre in Gaza, against child poverty and against the demonization of migrants and refugees.
“I am proud to work with my fellow independents to ensure the voices of our constituents are heard.
“This country is demanding real change – and the more MPs who are ready to stand up for international law, defend refugees and fight the far right, the better.”
Corbyn retained the Islington North seat he has represented for more than 40 years in July’s general election, beating the Labor candidate by 7,000 votes.
Labour’s ruling body barred Mr Corbyn from standing as the party’s candidate in March 2023. He had previously been suspended from Labor for responding to reports of antisemitism in the party when he was leader.
Mr Adam was part of one of the big shocks on election night when he won the seat by 979 votes from former Labor shadow minister Mr Ashworth, who had a majority of more than 20,000.
The optometrist, who is running for the first time in 2024, said that whatever happens in the future he does not want to lose his independence because he believes many MPs have been “distracted” by the party.
He said he ran as an independent to “show that you can do without a political party” and that “normal people can win elections”.
Mr Adam called on parliament to increase the status of independent MPs, as the current rules favor larger parties in setting debates and senior committee roles.
He predicted there would be more independent MPs in the future “because more people will be looking for ways to be representative and the change they want to see”.
“We’re going to be a trial run,” Mr. Adam said.
